How the ATR protein helps prevent DNA damage and chromosome errors
Impact of ATR's role in translesion synthesis on prevention of DNA damage induced mutagenesis and chromosomal instability
This project looks at how a protein called ATR helps cells copy damaged DNA correctly to reduce mutations that can lead to cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Med Br Galveston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Galveston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11261789 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will compare human cells with normal ATR function to cells that lack ATR to see how they copy past DNA damage. They will study specialized translesion synthesis polymerases using biochemical, genetic, and structural lab methods. The team will examine whether ATR encourages mostly error-free copying or allows error-prone pathways to dominate, and how stalled replication forks are managed. Results will come from controlled cell experiments and analyses of human-derived samples to clarify links between DNA repair failures and chromosome instability.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with breast cancer or other cancers linked to DNA repair problems, or those willing to donate tumor or blood samples for laboratory research, would be most relevant for participation or sample contribution.
Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to DNA damage or repair pathways are unlikely to see direct benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal mechanisms that lower mutation rates and suggest new targets to prevent or treat cancers driven by DNA repair failures.
How similar studies have performed: Laboratory studies have previously shown that ATR and translesion synthesis polymerases affect DNA repair, but applying ATR's coordination role to prevent mutation and chromosomal instability is a relatively new direction.
Where this research is happening
Galveston, United States
- University of Texas Med Br Galveston — Galveston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Prakash, Satya — University of Texas Med Br Galveston
- Study coordinator: Prakash, Satya
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.